JOHN HUGHES will have to walk a tightrope to drill strikers Derek Riordan and Anthony Stokes into defending from the front without losing their goal threat.

John Hughes needs Derek Riordan and Anthony Stokes defending from the front []

And there will be early evidence of whether or not he is succeeding when Hibs kick off their season against Motherwell at Fir Park today.

It was there, after the sides played out that remarkable 6-6 draw last season, that Hughes laid into his frontmen.

However, Easter Road captain Ian Murray is well aware of just what a balancing act his boss faces.

Murray said: “The manager quite publicly criticised them for not defending from the front after the 6-6 draw, and the strikers have been under pressure since we started our pre-season work.

“We all know what has to be done, so if anyone is left out then it will be because either they are not playing well, or they are not following instructions.

“Derek and Anthony are talented, and you have to be careful not to take out Derek’s maverick style because then you would probably lose 10 to 15 goals a season, and that is not a bad return.”

However, it is at their new-look Easter Road home where Murray, 29, expects Hibs to sparkle and lay the foundations for an improvement on their fourth-top finish last time out, by threatening the Old Firm at the top of the table.He said: “Aiming for the the top six is no longer enough as that is expected of us, so we have to actually make a challenge.

“We have a tough start, away to a Motherwell side which has done so well in Europe so far, and then we have Rangers in Edinburgh.

“That should be a great occasion, with the opening of the new stand and a full house of 20,000. The stadium is looking great, and as well as that new stand, we have a new pitch, which is bigger.

“In terms of structure it looks great, and outside the Old Firm it’s the best in Scotland.

“Also, the wider pitch will favour us as a passing team, though of course good teams, such as Rangers and Celtic, will also get more room to pass it around.

“Other teams too might enjoy the space, but we have to make sure we make it work for us, and we have to get off to a good start at home so there is no talk about a new stadium hoodoo, although it isn’t actually a new ground, just a new stand and pitch.”

Murray though, will be sidelined for that start, missing today’s match at Motherwell and next Sunday’s visit of Rangers with a suspension carried over from last season.